title: The Effect of Al2O3 Addition on the Thermal Diffusivity of Heat Activated Acrylic Resin.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed at investigating the effect of adding 5% to 20% by weight aluminium oxide powder (Al2O3) on thermal diffusivity of heat-polymerized acrylic resin.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty five cylindrical test specimens with an embedded thermocouple were used to determine thermal diffusivity over a physiologic temperature range (0 to 70°C). The specimens were divided into five groups (5 specimens/group) which were coded A to E. Group A was the control group (unmodified acrylic resin specimens). The specimens of the remaining four groups were reinforced with 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% Al2O3 by weight. RESULTS were analysed by using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Test specimens which belonged to Group E showed the highest mean thermal diffusivity value of 10.7mm(2)/sec, followed by D (9.09mm(2)/sec), C (8.49mm(2)/sec), B(8.28mm(2)/sec) and A(6.48mm(2)/sec) groups respectively. Thermal diffusivities of the reinforced acrylic resins were found to be significantly higher than that of the unmodified acrylic resin. Thermal diffusivity was found to increase in proportion to the weight percentage of alumina filler.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Al2O3 fillers have potential to provide increased thermal diffusivity. Increasing the heat transfer characteristics of the acrylic resin base material could lead to more patient satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, Sibar Institute of Dental Sciences , Guntur, A.P., India .
authors.forename: Jyothi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Atla
authors.forename: Prakash
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Manne
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gopinadh
authors.forename: Anche
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sampath
authors.forename: Suresh Babu
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Muvva
authors.forename: Krishna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kishore
authors.forename: Chiramana
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sandeep
authors.forename: Harika
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chittamsetty
keywords: Aluminium oxide; Heat activated acrylic resin; Thermal diffusivity; Thermo couple